17 Sep September 2026. Legal matters. Legal hints and tips.
Welcome to our September edition of Legal Matters. As summer ends, it is a good time to revisit legal matters that may have been put on hold. This month, we cover amicable divorce, Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney myths, Inheritance Tax changes for farms and family businesses, and essential checks when buying land for development.
For you and your family
Wills & Lasting Powers of Attorney – could common myths leave your family exposed?
It is easy to assume that a spouse, civil partner or family member will automatically be able to manage your finances or make decisions for you if you lose mental capacity. In practice, this is not always the case.
A valid Will sets out how your estate should be dealt with after your death. A Lasting Power of Attorney allows people chosen by you to make specified decisions during your lifetime if you are unable to do so. Having one document does not remove the need for the other.
Is now the time to review whether your existing arrangements still reflect your circumstances?
Read about the common Will and LPA myths that can leave families exposed.
Could you take greater control of your leasehold property?
If you own a leasehold property, you may have the right to extend your lease, reduce your ground rent or join with your neighbours to buy the freehold.
The process you follow will depend on your property and circumstances. It may involve obtaining a professional valuation, checking the eligibility requirements and serving the correct statutory notice. If your landlord plans to sell the freehold, you may also have a right of first refusal. Strict procedures and deadlines apply, so understanding your position before taking action is important.
Discover your options for extending your lease or buying your freehold.
Can one solicitor represent or advise both parties jointly in a divorce?
Divorce does not always have to mean taking sides. If you and your former partner agree that the relationship has ended and want to move forward amicably, our One Couple, One Solicitor service could help you reach a fair outcome together.
Rather than each of you instructing a separate solicitor from the outset, one solicitor may be able to guide you both through the divorce, explain your options clearly and help you work through arrangements for finances, property and children. This can reduce unnecessary conflict, make communication easier and help keep the process focused on your family’s future.
Find out more about our One Couple One Lawyer divorce service
For your business
Is your business relying on AI to draft important legal documents?
It may seem like a simple way to save time and money but how much can your business rely on the document it produces?
Currently, AI-generated legal documents often lack the personalisation needed to reflect how a business operates, the risks it faces and the protections it requires. AI can also produce convincing but incorrect information and entering sensitive business details into an online tool may raise confidentiality concerns.
Our latest article looks at the risks businesses should consider before relying on AI for legal advice.
Read why leaving your business’s legal documents to AI could be risky business.
Buying a development site? Complete the legal checks before committing
Autumn is often an active period for progressing land and development opportunities. Before entering into a binding agreement, developers should establish whether any legal issues could affect the proposed scheme’s viability, value or timetable.
Legal due diligence may identify restrictive covenants, access difficulties, title defects, rights benefiting neighbouring land, planning obligations, adverse occupational interests and limitations affecting utilities or development. Finding these issues at an early stage can help a developer assess risk, renegotiate terms or decide whether to proceed.
Read about the essential legal due diligence required before acquiring a development site.
Has a boundary dispute with your neighbour reached a standstill?
Disagreements over fences, hedges, walls or rights of way can affect your ability to use, sell or develop your property. And sometimes the legal boundary may not even be where either neighbour assumes it is.
Title deeds, historical photographs and evidence on the ground can all help establish the boundary’s position. A professional survey may also be needed. Where possible, negotiation, mediation or a formal boundary agreement can provide a quicker and more cost-effective solution than court proceedings.
Discover the steps that could help settle your boundary dispute before costs and tensions escalate.
Sharing the knowledge
We hope you found these updates useful. If you know a friend, family member, or colleague who is currently moving home or managing a business, please forward this email to them.
Not sure where you stand?
If you have a legal question, don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment.
For legal advice
- Email info@hrjforemanlaws.co.uk
- Call Hitchin, 01462 458711, Welwyn Garden City, 01707 887700, Old Harlow 01279 709 100.
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